Pittsburgh man to serve 15-30 years for shooting North Versailles police officer and K-9
A Pittsburgh man will serve 15 to 30 years behind bars after pleading guilty in the shooting of a North Versailles police officer and K-9 last year.
Ian Lamont Fields, 47, received the sentence as part of a plea deal this week in Allegheny County Court, according to online court documents.
Fields pleaded guilty to counts of assault of a police officer involving discharge of a firearm, torture of a police animal in the perpetration of a felony and prohibited possession of a firearm. Charges of attempted murder of a police officer, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, evading arrest and criminal mischief and trespass were withdrawn.
The officer was treated and released at an area hospital for wounds to his face and hand. The police dog also has recovered.
The charges stem from a Nov. 24 incident, when police said Fields was involved in an early morning dispute with a companion and left their Arlington Avenue apartment with possessions including a pistol.
When four North Versailles officers arrived on the scene, Fields refused to obey their commands, investigators said. After police failed to take him into custody with a Taser, he turned and fired shots at the officers, according to police.
When the officers returned fire, Fields fled on foot. By following a blood trail, police found him nearby with two gunshot wounds to his leg and took him into custody, according to court papers.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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